Corn harvester



CORN HARVESTER Filed May 25, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 1

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ATTORNEYS.

May 2, 1944. N. F. ANDREWS ET A1.

CORN HARVESTER Filed May 23, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet .'5

,(INENTOdIS i @im A ORNEYS May 2, 1944- N. F. ANDREWS ETAL 2,347,871

CORN HARVESTER Filed May 25, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 #a EN ,NS N

May 2 1944- N. F. ANDREWS E-r Ax. 2,347,871

CORN HARVESTER Filed May 25, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 2, 1944- N. F. ANDREWS ETALV 2,347,871

CORN HARVESTE R Filed May 23, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F l G. l2 |5 m -ISO ISG |53- 153 I90- -I9O INVENTORS! A ORNEYS Patented May 2, i944 UNITED VSIFA'I'ES PATENT OFFICE coaivfmlis'ran um r. Ansi-ew ce mima n lulV to l corporationsy et mais wmlm.

The present invention relates generally, to corn harvesters and more particularly tocorn harvesting implements oi the type adapted to be mountedV ori-` andcarried by a tractor,` and has for its principal object the provision oi a trachtte mounted com harvester that `is-,f.eonsi'deratly lighter in weight and less expensive Ato manui'aetlii'oiel'lut. tft'- -strona' 'aridi durable, arid operates with ini-proved etlioiency.

fit connection with the previsione!` a corn harvester of lighter weight, anrobieot of this inrelation relates to the provision of a gatherer fabricated entirely of sheet metal construction. withoutthe use of relatively heavy structural bei'iin's, but without sacriiice in strength or rieliiitv'.`

Another oliiect of this invention relatesto the provision of new and'` improved means' for supporting the implement on the tractor body, with provision. for vertical adjustment of the gatherer units; Ih the accomplishment or this object, thegatlerers are swingably supported by means lncludiuea main transversely extending supportlng. beam attached to the tractor between the front and rear wheels thereof, and theihu'siting unit is swingably mounted on a link supported on the rear axle housing of the tractor andV pivotally connected to the rear end of the gatherer unit` y Still Aanother object r'lates to the provision oi asimpiled but more emcient husking mechanient and more speoiiicallmit is an object of this invention to provide conveying means for moving earsi com over `the husking rolls, which is especially adapted to. maintain the ears in a position parallel to the axes of the rolls and in engagement with both of the latter im insure that the huslrs and silks are quickly and thoroughly removed therefrom.

Another object has to do with the provision oi an ear conveyor between the snapping rolls and the huskingv rolls, the'paddies of which dlsengage; themselves more eillciently and quickly fromv the ears at the point of discharge.

A further object oi this invention relates to the provision of a, separating device in connection with the husklng unit, which eilectively removes dirtand other ne particles from the husks and slllrs which are separated from the ears by the husking rolls, then removesv any kernels of corn which may be carried along with the husks, deiivering them to the wagon elevator along with the ears of corn, and finally discharges the husks and silks upon the ground, or to any desired receptacle separate-from the corn.

Still another object relates to the provision of a fan for directing a single blast of air through the @ars of corn from the husking rolls and yiiiipie'xiierii k tractor;- linie accomplishment of this object,

In connection with through the `kernels oi 4coi-n from the husk conveyor. as they fall to' the elevator hopper.

Still 'a further object' relates to the provision oi` novel' means for raisins the corn harvesting itlto position to be mounted on the the gatherer is inoi'ind on a transversely eil-- tending supporting' tive to the gatherer. and in the case of a two-row harvester. the supporting beam extends transversel'y beneath the tractor frame and supports a gatherer at each end thereof in a position alongside the opposite' sides of the tractor. respectively. The transverse supporting beam is oonne'cted t0 th body of the l'tf by a pair of laterally spaced chains or' other flexible connecting means, which caribe wound upon theA beam by rotating the latter `and the implement into l'iiouxltcd` position on the tractor.

' a two'row mounted implement, it is a further object to provide means for assisting the iront wheels of the tract-oi* to roll over the transverse supporting' when the latter is near the ground in lowered position.

\ A related object has to do with the `provision of means for properly positioning this ramp as'the implement is lowered to the ground, so that the tractor can be backed out o1' the implement frame without any further attention to the ramp.

Still a further object o! this" invention relates to the provision of roliersv atthe forward ehd of the implement frame adiacent the iront wheels of the tractor and. adapted to engels the latter when they are nimed during the steering operations, to insure that the wheels do not catch upon and danieleany part of the impiernent mechanism.

Another object of this invention relates to the provision of a 4'novel spout at tlieend of the was'on elevator, which tends to distribute the ears of corn in the wagon to obviate the necessity or moving the wagon fore and ait relative to the wagon elevator er vice versa. i

These and other objects and advantages o! the present invention wlll'be apparent tothose skilled in the art after a consideration of the following description, in which` reference is had to the drawings appended hereto. in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a two-row tractor mounted corn harvesting implement attachment; embodying the principles of the `present invention, the hood of the left hand gatherer unit being removed to show the gathering and conveying mechanism beneath;

Figure 2 is a side elevationalview o! the tractor with the implement attachment mounted thereon, the near rear wheel of the tractor being removed to more clearly show the details oi' the implement attachment;

Figure 3 is an emerged sectional elevational bea-rh, which is rotatable iias Y view taken through one of the gatherer units along aline I-I in Figure 2:

Figure Atis a sectional elevational view taken along a une 4 4 in Figure i and showing the inner side of the harvester unit on the right side of the tractor;

Figure 5 is an elevational view taken in soction along a gener-sillav transverse vertical plane passing through the tractor showing the rear of the gatherer units lowered to the ground 'and the husking umts removed..as indicated generally by the line l-l in Figure 4;

Figures 6 and 'I are enlarged sectional elevational views of the lifting and supporting mechanism in lowered and raised positions, respectively. and the mechanism for tilting the impiement relative to the tractor, taken along the line Figure 8' is an elevational view taken along a line s l in Figure 5, showing the details of the reduction gear. by means of which the main supporting beam is rotated to raise and lower the implement relative to the tractor:

Figure 9 is a sectional elevational view taken along a line I-Oin Figure 5, showing the details of the ramp for assisting the front tractor wheels t0 reliever the trlwet mm:

Figure l0 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the upper end of the wagon elevator and the ear distributing spout;

Figure 11 is a pian view of the mechanism shown in Figure l0;

Figure l2 is a rear view of the tractor showing the framework mounted on the rear axle housing on which the implenlent is supported, together with the mechanism for driving the various parts of the implement mechanism from the power take-oil' shaft of the tractor: and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of the supporting framework on the right hand side of the tractor axle housing.

Referring now to the drawings, the tractor comprises a narrow longitudinally extending body il, supported on a pair of closely spaced dirigible front wheels Il and a pair of comparatively widely spaced rear traction wheels I1, fixed to a pair of laterally extending axles il. which are iournaled in the usual axle housing It which forms an integral part of the tractor body.

The corn harvesting implement attachment includes a pair of picking or snapping units 2l disposed on opposite sides of the tractor body il adjacent the forward end thereof. Each picking unit comprises a pair of cooperative snapping rolls I l, I2, mounted on shafts 2l, Il, respectively, which are supported at their lower ends in conventional bearings 2l iltted between the tapered point 2B of the rolls and the cylindrical body thereof in the usual manner. The upper ends of the shafts 2l, 24 are iournaied in suitable bearings mounted on a transversely disposed supporting plate 21. Each of the supporting plates Il has a flange 2B turned at right. angles thereto. extending along the bottom and inner side edges thereof. The flange il along the bottom edge of the plate 21 is fastened to a transversely disposed frame member 29 comprising a hollow beam member of rectangular cross section. The two frame members 29 intheir respective picker units 2li, terminate at their inner ends adjacent the sides of the tractor, and fixed rigidly to the inner ends ofthe frame members 2S is a pair of downwardly extending legs 30, respectively, which serve as supportsA for the picker aumen units when the latter are resting upon the ground. as indicated in Figure 5.

The two picker units ZI are mounted on s common transverse supporting beam Il. connected to the frame members Il by means of a pair of inner journal bearings 36. which are mounted on the forward side of the legs I0, and a pair of outer Journal bearings Il' on the forward sides of a pair of outwardly spaced supporting plates 31, the latter being xed to the transverse frame member 2l at points spaced outwardly of the legs 3l. The main supporting beam It is in the form of a cylindrical pipe, which extends transversely beneath the tractor between Athe front Ydii'igible wheels il and the rear traction wheels I1. The beam Il is connected with the tractor body Il by means of a pair of laterally spaced flexible lifting members lil comprising a plurality of short links 4I interconnected by bolts 42 and thus providing chains which are connected at their lower ends by bolts to a pair of lugs or ears ll, rigidly ilxed as by welding to the pipe beam Il in axial alignment thereon. The upper ends of the lifting chains Il are swingably connected bypivot bolts Il to a pair of supporting arms Il, respectively. the arms Il being rigidly bolted at Il to the side of the tractor body il and are braced by a pair of forwardly extending braces l1 which are also bolted at their forward ends to the side of the tractor body, as best illustrated in Figure 6. The implement is raised into nor'mal operating position on the tractor by rotating the MDB member 3l in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 6. Thus, the pipe II acts as a drum on which is wound the chain of links 4l and in the last portion of the winding movement. the pipe l! is rotated to a position on top of the two supporting arms il, the latter being formed at their forward ends with a curved recess ll adapted to receive the pipe 3B in its raised position, as illustrated in Figure '1. 'Ihe means for rotating l the pipe beam Il will be described later.

Since the frames of the picker units are lournaled on the main supporting pipe beam Il. they can be tilted about the main axis of the beam Il when the latter is in its raised position. This tilting is accomplished by means of a `hand lever it, which is rigidly secured by bolts Ii to vertically disposed plate 82, the latter being dll' mounted as by welding on the outer end of a rock shaft Il, which is Journaled in the two arms Il for rocking movement about a transversely extending axis. An arm l2' is fixed to the rock shaft Il at the opposite side of the tractor. The plate l2 and arm il' are provided with pivoted links l0, the rear ends of which are turned at right angles into a suitable-aperture in the arm l2' and in the rear corner of the plate l2, and the links extend forwardly through 'sleeves BI, which are pivotally connected by bolts I! to plates 63, the latter being iixedly attached to the vertical flanges 2l of the plates 21. respectively. The forward end of each link l0 is provided with an adjustable collar Bl. which engages the sleeve Bi when the lever 5B is swung rearwardly, to swingthe main transverse frame member 28 rearwardly with respect to the pipe member it and thus to raise the forward end of each picker unit to adjust, the height of the forward ends of the snapping mils 2i, 22 above the ground. By virtue of the sliding connection between the link til and the sleeve 6i, however, the forward end of either picker unit is free to be pushed upwardly if it should encounter an obstruction in the field. The lever Il is heldin adjusted position by means of a suitable latch Il which engages a notched sector Il supported on brackets Il which are rigidly bolted to the side of the tractor.

With the exception of the main supporting beam Il and the individual transverse frame members 2s of the two opposite picker units 2l, the frame structure of each of the picker units is constructed almost entirely of sheet metal sections for the sake of lightness and to save expense. Each of the outer gatherers 1l includes a forwardly and downwardly inclined .lower sheet H having a downwardly turned outer edge nange l2. the sheet 1| being supported adjacent its rear end on the transverse beam 29. Rigidly attached beneath the sheet 1| and extending for wardly from the cross beam 2l is a trough-shaped sheet metal reenforcing member 12, which is relatively deep at its rear end and tapers to a shallow section near the forward end of the sheet 1I, and thus provides a beam of tubular box section for supporting the outer mapping roll. This is appreciably lighter, yet stronger than conventional structural frame members. The inner longitudinal edge of the sheet 1| is provided with an upwardly and inwardly directed flange ll (see Figures l and 3) which overhangs the outer side of the outer mapping roll 2| and serves as a conveyor trough for the ears of corn separated from the stalks by the snapping rolls 2|, 22. The opposite side of the conveyor trough is defined by a generally vertically disposed sheet metal wall 1i, which rises upwardly and outwardly and is curved over the top, as at 1l, to serve as a guide for the cornstalks.

A conveyor comprising an endless chain l1 and paddles 1B, is trained around a sprocket 19 which is fixed to a shaft 8l journaled at its lower end in a bearing 8| in the sheet 1| adjacent the forward end of the latter. The inner i'iight of the chain Il moves the padlles Il upwardly and rearwardly in the conveyor trough adiacent the snapping rolls 2|, 22 and thus moves the ears of corn away from the snapping rolls toward the rear of the implement. At its upper end, the conveyor chain Il passes' around a pair of sprockets 82, Il mounted on shafts Il, li, respectively, which are supported in the sheet 1I in suitable Journal bearings. chain 11 passes forwardly along the outer edge of the sheet 'Il to the sprocket Il at the forward end. 'I'he forward end of the sheet 1| is curved to conform approximately with the path of the outer ends oi the paddles 18 and is provided with a sheet metal wall 8B, which is curved in conformity with the rounded front end of the sheet Il and rises substantially perpendicular thereto and serves the purpose of catching any ears of corn that tend to fall forwardly in the path of the conveyor 18 before they are engaged by one of the paddles. The wall 8B also serves as a part of the sheet metal frame of the picker.

Spaced above the sheet 1I is a second sheet 90, disposed in a substantially parallel plane with the plane of the sheet 1| and extending forwardly of the forward end of the latter. The sheet Sli is xedly attached to the upper end of the wall Il and also is xed to the side wall of the gatherer. A transversely extending sheet metal brace 9| extends between the top of the sheet 90, and the under side of the curved portion 1E of the gatherer. A channel-shaped sheet metal brace 92 is connected between the upper and lower sheets 90, 1| at the rounded rear end of the upper sheet 90. To this brace 92, is also con- The outer night of the conveyor.

neeted the forward end of the side wall Il of the conveyor trough. l

The shaft Il on which is fixed the sprocket 1I at the forward end of the elevator chain 11. is Journaled at its lower end in a bearing Il mounted on the lower sheet 1|. and extends upwardly therefrom generally perpendicular to the sheet 1|, through an aligned aperture in the upper 'sheet Il, and is supported in a bearing il fixed to the upper sheet Il. The shaft is extended above the bearing 93 and supports at its upper end, a sprocket 94, around which is trained a gatherer chain 95 having outwardly proiecting lugs il for engaging the stalks of corn to gather the latter into the mapping rolls 2|, 22. The gatherer chain -ll extends forwardly along the outer edge of the sheet Il from the sprocket ll, and passes around a lower sprocket Il, which is loumaled in a lower bearing 88 fixed at the forward end of the sheet lll. and in an upper bearing 92. which is supported on an arm i", mounted at its rear end in the center of the sheet It and extending forwardly therefrom above the sprocket 91 at the forward end of the sheet $0. A second gatherer chain I is trained around a sprocket Ill, which is fixed to the shaft Bl intermediate of the sheets ll, 1|, and around a forward sprocket |06, which is journaled in a bearing ill. mounted beneath the upper sheet il. The forward end of the arm I0 is also provided with a transversely extending frame member |00, to which is pivotally connected a supporting arm III, to which is attached a floating gatherer point Ill, which swi s about the pivot point of the arm los on the rame member |08. A brace rod extends rearwardly 'and outwardly from the frame member |08 and is fixed to the forward end of the lower sheet 1I.

The inner gatherer comprises a pair of side walls ||I extending alongside the tractor on opposite sides thereof and converging forwardly of the tractor and interconnected by a rounded hood HB extending around the front end of the tractor. A floating gathered point is supported on the forward ends of the converging walls IIS in any suitable manner. as is well-known to those skilled in the art. The inner side walls IIE are connected with the walls l5 on the opposite gatherer .by means of a tubular sheet metal braclng member Hl extending over the ear conveyor and over the upper end of the snapping rolls 2|, 22 on each side of the tractor.

A pair of inner gatherer chains |28 are trained around a pair of fore and aft spaced pulleys IZI, |21, supported on the inner gatherer walls llt. Also supported on the inner gatherer walls III in fore and aft spaced journals are a pair of longitudinally extending rollers |28 at each side of the front wheels Il of the tractor and are adapted to engage the latter if the wheels are turned too sharply in either direction, thus preventing damage to either the tires or the chains |22. A pair of sheet metal beams in of tubular box section, extend forwardly from the inner end of each of the transverse beams 29 for supporting each of the inner snapping rolls.

The upwardly extending flange 14 along the inner side of the lower sheet 1| is extended upwardly and inwardly across the upper ends of the snapping rolls 2|, 22, as indicated at Il (see Figures l and 5), and serves to cover the upper snapping roll bearings. The inner rear corner of the sheet 1| is curved downwardly and inwardly behind the inclined flange extension 14', as indicated at |35. This causes the ears of com,

which are moved upwardly and rearwardly by the paddles 15, to slide inwardly toward the tractor body and away from the paddles at the upper end of the conveyor, as the ears drop onto the husking rolls |35, |31. At the same time that the 5 ears slide inwardly, the paddles turn outwardly as the chain 11 moves around the sprocket 55, and by the virture of the second sprocket 52 dis-t posed directly outwardly from the sprocket 53, the chain moves substantially at right angles l away from the conveyor trough. This has been found to provide a better and more elcient disengagement of the paddles from the ears than a conveyor in which the chain turns approximately 180 degrees around the upper sprocket 53.

Each of the husking units, indicated generally by reference numeral |45, comprises a sheet metal through having longitudinally extending side walls Ill, |52 disposed substantially in fore and aft alignment with the side walls 15, of 20 the gatherer unit 15. The 'forward end of each husking unit |55 is rigidly mounted on a generally triangular plate member Il! (see Figure 4) which is pivotally connected by'a bolt |55 to the rear end of a supportingarm |55, which is .u rigidly connected by bolts |55 to the side of a gear housing |51 which is rigidly mounted on the transverse frame member 25.

VEach of the husking units is supported intermediate of its ends on a pair of laterally spaced legs |55, ISI disposed on the outer and inner 'sides of the husking unit |45, respectively, and

pivotally connected thereto by bolts |52. The lower ends of the legs |55, |5| are pivotally supported for swinging movement about a transverse 3,-', axis, on a transversely disposed structural frame member |53 which is mounted on the upper end of a pair of vertically disposed laterally spaced angle bars |54, each o! which is rigidly bolted by stud bolts |55 to an implement supporting boss 4o |55 integrally formed on the rear side of the tractor axle Vhousing I5. The two legs |55, |5| are interconnected by a cross bar |51 into a single rigid structure. Thus it is evident that when the picking units are rocked by the lever 45.

55 about the axis of the tubular beam 55, the husking units are free to swing relative to the tractor to maintain proper alignment with the picking unit. Furthermore, the picking units, can be lowered to the ground until they rest on the legs 35 Without disconnecting the upper ends of the husking units from the supporting legs |5I, thus facilitating assembly and disassembly on the tractor, as will be explained in detail later.

A pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending husking rolls |35, |31 are journaled in each husking unit between the walls HI, |42. The inner nusking roll |51 is a smooth cylindrical roll made of hard wood, preferably hickory maple or hickory. The other roll |55 i1 made of firm rubber, about the consistency of the tread of an automobile tire, and is helically grooved to provide helical ridges |55', which have closely spaced axially extending notches therein. This combination of smooth hard wood and helically grooved rubber rolls provides a highly efficient and long wearing husking mechanism which gives good results over a wide range of crop conditions and weather conditions, In view of the high emciency at which these rolls operate, it is possible to husk all the ears oi corn as fast as they are picked, using only one pair oi husking rolls. In order to operate eiciently, however, it is necessary to insure that the cars of corn are immediatehr aligned parallel with the rolls and between the latter as soon as the ears fall from the upper end |35 of the conveyor trough, for ii the ears are merely rolled over the rolls in a transverse position, the rolls are unable to take hold of the husks. Heretoiore, husklng rolls have been provided with ear conveyors of lthe endless chain type to move the ears along the rolls, but such conveyors have generally been provided with ear-engaging paddles which extend across the two rolls, so that if an ear falls upon the rolls in a transverse position, it is very likely to be moved from one end o! the husking rolls to the other without being properly aligned therewith. According to the principles of the presentinvention, however, the husking rolls are provided with a pair of conveyors, one onV each side of the husking rolls, and having ear'en'gaging paddles'which extend only about half-way across the pair oi'husking rolls. That is to say. each of the paddles |55, attached to the outer conveyor chain IBI, extends inwardly over the grooved rubber roll |35, terminating adjacent' the longitudinal central vertical plane of the pair of rolls, preferably lust short of the central plane. Each of the paddles |52 attached to the inner conveyor chains |53 extends only over the wooden rolls |31, terminating adjacent the longitudinal central plane of the pair of rolls. With this arrangement. an ear falling from the end |55 of the conveyor trough transversely of the pair of rolls will be engaged at one end or the other by one oi the paddles |55 or |52 which are staggered in order that the paddles will engage only one end of the ear and swing it around in alignment with the husking rolls. Thus it is evident that it is practically impossible i'or an ear Vto be moved transversely along the entire length of the husking rolls, for the staggered arrangement of short conveyor paddles is very effective in aligning the ear with the rolls and thereafter moving the ears lengthwise along the roll. The rolls are rotated in such direction that the helical grooves and ridges tend to move the ears of corn rearwardly along the rolls and thus further asslst-in delivering the ears to the rear of the machine.

It will be noted that the inner conveyor chains |55 are each disposed in a vertical plane and are trained around a pair of sprockets-rotatable about transversely extending axes. The lower or return flight of each inner chain |55 passes downwardly under an additional pair of sprockets |55. Each of the outer chains IBI is trained around a pair o! sprockets |55 which are disposed on generally vertical shafts and thus the outer chains |5| are disposed in a transversely extending plane. This arrangement of conveyor chains provides for compactness and eillcient operation.

Disposed beneath the pair of husking rolls on each side of the implement, is a U-shaped trough |15 extending longitudinally of the husking rolls and adapted to receive the husks and silks which are removed from the ears by the rolls. An auger conveyor |1 is disposed longitudinally within each trough |15 and comprises a helically formed vane xed to a shaft |12. The trough |15 is perforated finely, so that any dust or particles of grit are dropped through the perforations but the kernels of corn are retained in the trough. The trough |15 is extended rearwardly beyond the rear end of the husking roll conveyor and is provided with a section of coarsely perforated mesh |13 through which the kernels of corn assasvi are free to pass. but which is ilne enough to retain the husks and sillfs. The kernels of corn are discharged laterally inwardly over chutes |11, while the husks and silks are moved rearwardly to a discharge opening |14 on the outside of each of the troughs. The auger |1| is provided with a straight blade |10 at the rear end in order to sweep the husks and silks laterally outwardly over a pair of chutes |10. thus discharging the husks and silks upon the ground at the rear of the implement.

The paddles |60. |32 of the ear conveyors move the husked ears rearwardly over an apron |80 at the rear end of each pair of husking rolls. These aprons are curved downwardly at their rear ends to discharge the ears of corn at the rear end of the implement on each side of the tractor, into a hopper |8| which extends across the rear end of the tractor. The-section of coarse mesh |12 in each of the troughs |10 is disposed adjacent the rear ends of the apron |20 so that any kernels of corn that might be carried in the husks and sllks. can be discharged into the hopper IBI through the mesh |12.

As the kernels of corn drop from the mesh |13 over the chute |11 and as the ears drop from the apron |80, any loose dirt or chaff that may fall therewith into the hopper lli is separated therefrom by a blast of air directed from a pair of fans |22, |02 disposed beneath the two aprons |80 at the opposite sides of the implement, and havin exhaust ducts |84 extending upwardly and rearwardly to direct air blasts between the husking units and the hopper |86;L

Each of the fans is iournaled on a supporting frame |08 which is swingably mounted by means of suitable pivot bolts |02 on a pair of supporting ears |00 fixed to the back side of the transverse frame member |03. Each of the frames |00 is supported by a tension link |9| connected to a vertical post |92 which is rigidly mounted on the horizontal member |53. Each of the links |0| is provided with an adjustable nut |93 by means of which the frame |00 and fan |82 can be adjusted vertically about the axis of the pivot bolts |00 for the purpose of adjusting the direction of the air blast and also for tightening and loosening the fan driving belts |94, the latter being trained around pulleys attached to the fan shaft.

The hopper |l| is mounted on and discharges into a grain elevator |00 mounted on a supporting framework |00 that is rigidly attached to the drawbar support 200 of the tractor. The frame |00 is also supported by a pair of forwardly and upwardly extending tension members 20|, which are rigidly bolted to the transverse frame members ill on opposite sides of the tractor axle housing. The conveyor |98 includes a pair of endless chains 202 extending around suitable pulleys at the lower and upper ends ot the conveyor |90, respectively, having transverse conveyor paddles 202 connected to the opposite chains 2|l2. The ears and kernels of corn in the hopper |0| feed downwardly into the conveyor and are conveyed upwardly and rearwardly and discharged from the upper or rear end thereof. (See Figures and 1l.)

Attached to the upper end of the conveyor. is a discharge spout 205 having rearwardly diverging side walls 206 and a bottom wall 201. The bottom wall 201 is provided with a slot B which widens toward the rear end of the spout 205 and thus serves to distribute the ears of corn over the wagon in a longitudinal direction,

as some of the ears fall endwise through the narrow forward end of the slot 200, while others of the ears drop upon the spout in a transverse position and thus roll rearwardly down the spout until they fail through a wider portion of the slot. Still others of the ears slide longitudinally down one of the side portions of the bottom wall 201 of the spout and drop ofi the rear end thereof. This type of spout has been found very effective in distributing the ears of corn evenly over the bottom of the wagon, which is drawn behind the tractor in a conventional manner.

The elevator |00 is supported at its lower end on the shaft 2|0 on which the lower pulley is mounted, the shaft 2|0 being journaled at opposite ends thereof in a pair of supports 2li which are mounted on the supporting framework |00. The conveyor |02 is thus swingable about the transverse axis of the shaft 2|0 but is held in upwardly and rearwardly inclined position by a pair of tension rods 2|2 which are attached to the sides of the elevator by any suitable means (not shown) and attached at their forward ends to a pair of eye bolts 2|2, fixed to the upper ends of the posts |92, respectively.

It has been mentioned that the corn harvesting implement is raised and lowered relative to the tractor to and from its normal operating position thereon, by rotating the main supporting pipe beam IB. The means for rotating this beam by hand will now be described. Referring more particularly to Figures 5, 6. '1 and 8, the left hand end of the beam 25 is provided with an internal gear member 2|! having a hub 2|8 rigidly fixed to the end of the beam 35. A spur gear 2|1 is disposed within the internal gear member 2|! in meshing engagement therewith and in eccentric relation thereto. The spur gear 2|1 is provided with a cylindrical bore 2|0, which is concentric with the circumference of the spur gear 2|1, and .iournaled within the bore 2|0 is a cylindrical disc 2|0 rigidly attached to a shaft 220 which is disposed in eccentric relation thereto. The shaft 220, however. is disposed coaxially with the beam 20 and is journaled in a bearing member 22| at the lower end of an arm 222 which is rigidly supported on the lower side of the sheet 1|. 'I'he inner end of the shaft 220 is rotatably supported in a suitable Journal bearing (not shown) within the cylindrical pipe beam Il. By rotating the shaft 220, the spur gear 2| I is moved by the eccentric disc 2|! in an orbit about the internal gear 2|B. and by virtue of the different number of teeth in the spur gear 2|1 and the internal gear 2li, it is evident that in one cycle of orbital Vmovement of the spur gear 2|1 within the intez-nal gear 2 I5. there is a relative rotation of the two gears 2li, 2|1, which is a function of the dierence in the number of teeth in the two gears. The spur gear 2|1 is held against rotation by means of an arm 220, fixed to the gear 2|1 and extending radially therefrom. The arm 225 is connected by a bolt 220 to a member 221 provided with an elongated aperture 222 adapted to receive a shaft 220 `which is iournaled on the frame of the implement and is provided at its outer end with a crank 220.

The shaft 220 is connected in driving relation to the shaft 220 by means of a drive chain 225 trained over a relatively small sprocket 220 on the crank shaft 220 and a relatively large sprocket 231 on the shaft 220. Thus, by turning the crank 230, shaft 220 drives shaft 220 at a relatively slow speed, and this moves the spur gear 2|1 around the internal gear 2 5 in an orbit by means of the eccentric disc 2 Il, and since the spur gear 2|1 is held against rotation by the arm 225, each orbital movement of the spur gear around the internal gear 2li results in an angular movement of the latter. and consequently an angular movement of the supporting beam 26. The vertical movement of the spur gear 2|1 relative to the crank shaft 222 is accommodated by the elongated slot 222.

Assuming a difference of eight teeth between the number of teeth on the internal gear 2li and the spur gear 2i1. one revolution of the drive shaft 220 will cause an angular movement of the main beam I5 equal to the angle subtended by eight teeth Von the gear 2li, and in the same direetion of rotation. Thus, to raise the implement from the lowered position shown in Figure 5 to the normal position shown in Figure 2, the crank 22|) is rotated in a clockwise direction, causing the pipe 28 to rotate in the same direction to wind up the chains lil and raise the entire implement to normal operating position, in which the pipe Iii rests upon the arms as indicated in Figure '1. Conversely, to lower the implement from normal position to the ground, it is necessaryto rotate the crank in a counterclockwise direction to unwind the chains III.

As the implement lowers to the ground the two sections swing relative to each other about the connecting bolt I until the supporting legs rest upon the ground, while the rear end of the husking units MII are still supported on the legs |52, which swing forwardly as the implement lowers. Each of the husklngiunits H2 is provided with a hook 24B swingably connected to a pin 2li on the inner side oi' the husking units, by means of which the husking units can be held in .tack-knifed position with respect to the snapping units when the latter are resting upon the legs 3|) to permit the rear end of the husklng units to be disconnected from the rear axle housing. Each of the hooks 24|! has an outwardly turned forward end which is adapted to hook into one of several holes 2l2 (see Figure 4), in a link 242 which extends along the inner side of the husking unit and is pivotally connected by a bolt 2M to an arm 248. which is rigidly connected to the plate 62. During operation, the rear end of the link 242 is connected to a tension spring 250, the

opposite end of which is attached to a bar 26|l adapted to be inserted through an aperture 252 in the post |82 on the rear axle housing of the tractor. The lower edge of the bar is notched. as indicated in Figure 4, to engage the lower edge of the opening 252. When the implement is in mounted position on the tractor, the spring 250 acts as a counterbalancing spring to balance the weight of the snapping unit about the axis of the beam 2i. to facilitate vertical adjustment of the picking units 1l.

Since the gear mechanism connecting the crank 222 with the beam 2l is self-locking or non-reversible, no additional parts are needed to lock the implement in raised position. All that is necessary to lower the implement from normal position is to turn the crank 22| in a counterclockwise direction until the legs 30 rest upon the ground. Before the implement is lowered, however, it is necessary to release the counterbalancing spring bar 2li from the post |92. After the hooks 252 on each of the husking units have been hooked to the links 243, the supporting legs Iii! can be disconnected from the frame member |53. 'I'he chains Il should then be disconnected from the arms and the adjusting links til are then disconnected from the plaies BI, and after certain power shaft connections have been disconnected, the details of which will be described later, the tractor is ready to be backed away from the implement.

It is evident that the front wheels of the tractor must roll over the transverse beam Il during removal of the tractor from the implement, and to this end, a ramp is provided in the form of a plate 2li, swingably connected to the pipe or member 2B by means of U-shaped strap supports 250. xed to the plate 2l! by bolts 251 and embracing the pipe 2B. The ramp plate 252 is swingable into an inclined ground emaging position, either in front 'or in back of the pipe 2l, depending upon whether the tractor is heini moved into or out of the implement. As indicated in Figure 9, the ramp 25B is in position for the front wheels of the tractor to go over the part Il when the tractor is moved into the implement, while the dotted lines indicate the position of the plate 266 when the tractor is being moved out of the implement. A short length of spring metal 25| is rigidly nxed, as by welding, at one end to the pipe 25 and is adapted to engage the inner edge of the ramp plate 2l! when the implement is being lowered away from the tractor by virtue of the counterclockwise rotation oi' the pipe 25. Engagement of the spring 2i! with the plate 256 causes the latter to swing over the pipe Il into ground engaging position ahead of the latter. so that the ramp is automatically placed in position for the front wheels of the tractor to be backed out of the implement. Before the tractor is driven into place, the ramp 255 is easily drawn by hand back to a rearwardly inclined position if the spring 252 is iirst heid down against the pipe.

The mechanism on the implement attachment is driven from the tractor power take-of! shaft 22|, the end of which projects rearwardly out of the tractor axle housing and is suitably splined for receiving a pair of sprockets 28|, 282 in driving relation. The two sprockets 26|, 282 are connected by chains 222, 2M to drive the gathering and husking mechanisms on opposite sides of the tractor, respectively. The chains 222, 2 are connected to a pair of forwardly extending drive shafts 20|, 222, respectively, through sprockets 201, 22|, respectively. Any suitable slip clutch mechanism 22| is provided between each of the sprockets 221, 2li and their respective drive shafts 2li, 222. The forward ends of the latter are connected through universal joints 21|! to gearing within the gear boxes |41. the details of which gearing are not a part of the present invention. The gear box |41 has an output shaft 215, on which are mounted a pair of sprockets 210, 211. The output shaft 21B is substantially parallel to the axes of the snapping rolls 2|, 22 and drive the latter through a chain 212 which is trained over the sprocket 211 and over a sprocket 219 xed to the shaft 24 of the inner snapping roll. The two snapping rolls of each pair are interconnected by suitable gearing (not shown) as is customary, for driving the two snapping rolls in relatively opposite directions.

The inner gatherer chains |25 are driven from a gear box 220 (Figure 4) by power from a forwardly extending power shaft 28| which is driven by a chain 222, which is driven from the shaft 24 of the inner snapping roll 22. Sprocket 216 on shaft 215 drives a chain 225 which is trained over a sprocket 28B ilxed to a rearwardly extending shaft 281 lournaled in a bearing 288 supported on the under side of the sheet Il. A bevel gear 2 on the rear end of the shaft #I1 drives a 'bevel gear 2li on shaft 'Il over which is trained the chain 'l1 of the ear conveyor alongside the snapping rolls for driving the conveyor. The outer gatherer chains it, I are driven through the conveyor chain 11 and the gatherer chain shaft til. The chain 2li also over a chain-tightening idler 18| and a sprocket il! nxed on a shaft 2l! which drives rearwsrlhy through a universal Joint nl, the short 'lil of one of the hunting rolls Wl. The shaft i1! of the auger is driven through a chain 29B is driven from a sprocket on shaft 2li behind the universal joint 294. The universal joint nl is disposed substantially in transverse alignment with the axis of the pivot bolt t which interconnects the husking and snapping units and thus permits power to be transmitted from the shaft 293 on the snapping unit to the ill on the husking unit, regardless ofthe relative angular position of the two units lThe shaft 295 of the outer husking roll is ei:- tended rearwardly from the rearward *end df the husking roll I and is connected through apa'ir rof bevel gears lll to a transverse shaft ,liti which V'carter-ids through the husking unit and yproietta vi'rom 'the inner side thereof. The inner end of "the lshaft v3M is connected hy a chain 102 and sprocket $03 to a transverse shaft 3M spaced'rearwardly of the shaftllil and mounted on the `shaft Ill isla sprocket dill which drives the inner conveyor chain |63. 'The shaft I extends across `:the huslrirm unit and is connected by a pair of bevel gears at tilt to the rear sprocket i which "irlves the conveyor chain "i,

Vdrive chain III! trained over a sprocket (not shown) on the shaft 2 i Ii and extending forwardly ltosa drive sprocket 3H fixed to a shaft `3&2 which Vreceives its power from suitable gearing (not shown) within a gear box Il! supported "ons frame member 2 il. which is xed to a rearwardly extending supporting frame III on which the rear lend oi the power shaft III is journaled. The gear box SII has an input shaft 2I8 extending rearwardly therefrom. on which is mounted a sprocket lil over which thel chain is trained.

We claim:

1. A harvesting implement comprising a mobile frame, a crop gathering unit pivotally mounted thereon by means providing for vertical movement relative thereto, a crop treating unit associated with said gathering unit for receiving `gathered crops therefrom, means for pivotally supporting one end of said treating unit on said frame on an axis spaced from the pivot mounting of said gathering unit, and means for pivotally supporting the other end of said treating unit on said gathering unit.

2. A harvesting implement comprising a tractor having a longitudinally disposed body and transverse axle housings mounted thereon and carried n wheels, a crop gathering unit disposed alongside said body and pivotally mounted thereon by means providing for vertical swinging movement relative thereto, a crop treating unit disposed behind said gathering unit and adapted to receive crops therefrom, means for pivotally supporting one end of said treating unit on one of ysaid tractor axle housings. and means for pivotally supporting the other end of said treating imit on said gather- Bll unit.

37A com harvesting implement comprising a tractor having a longitudinally disposed body carried on wheels. Va picking unit disposed alongside said body and pivotally mounted at one side thereof by means providing for swinging movement abouta transverse axis. means for adjusting the position or ma unit about said to the height of the forward husking unit disposedbehindsaidunitandadaptedto receive snapped ears therefrom, means for swingabiy supporting one end ci' said husking unit on said tractor for movement about an axis spaced from said transverse axis, and vmeans for swing- .ably supporting the other end of said husking unit on said picking unit. .l

4. :A com harvesting implement comprising a traetorhaving a glongitudinally disposed body and a :offesi-med siaterally extending wheel sapasle housings, rs. snapping .unit dis- 1 maar the frontend of the tractor and extending longitudinally alongside thereof. means @for swingably supporting said snapping unit on :said body providing for movement about a transverse axis, means for adjusting the position of said'unlt about said axis to adjust the height of theforward end thereof, a husking unit disposed longitudinally behind said snapping unit and adapted to receive ears therefrom, means for swingably Ysupporting the rear Vend of said husk- Iingunit on said rear axle housing,` and means for Vlsvvingably supporting the front end ofthe husklng Lunit on said snapping unit to Vaccommodate Vthe swinging movement of the latter during vertical adiustments.

'5. A harvesting implement comprising a mobile frame, a crop gathering unit pivotally mounted thereon by means providing for vertical movement relative thereto, gathering mechanism assoelated with said gathering unit. a crop treating Vunit. including crop `treating mechanism for receiving crops from said `gathering mechanism, means forpivotally supporting one end of said `treating unit on said frame, means for pivotally supporting the other end of said treating unit on said gathering unit, v a power driven shaft journaled on said gathering unit, and power transmatting means, journaled on the axis of said pivot means between said units, for connecting said crop treating mechanism to said power shaft on said gathering unit Y' for driving said treating mechanism.

6. A com harvesting implement comprising a tractor having a longitudinallyl disposed body carried on wheels. a'picking unit disposed alongside said body and pivotant' mounted at one side thereof by means providing for swinging movement about a transverse axis, picking mechanism associated Vwith said picking .unit and including a power drivenshaft iournaled on the latter for movement therewith and operatively coupled to the tractor engine to receive power therefrom, a husking unit disposed behind said picking unit and adapted to receive snapped ears therefrom, means for swingably supporting one end of said husking unit on said tractor for movement about an axis spaced from said transverse axis, means for swingably supporting the other end o! said husking unit on said picking unit, husking mechanism associated with said husking unit, and flexible power transmitting means interconnecting said power driven shaft on said picking unit with said husking mechanism.

7. A com picker comprising a mobile frame, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined picker unit on said frame, an elevator disposed alongside the upper portion of said picker unit, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined husking unit on said frame, the forward end thereof being disposed directly below said elevator to receive crop therefrom, and the rearward end thereof being disposed in an elevated position, and a final elevator having a hopper disposed below the elevated end of said husking unit.

8. The combination with a tractor having a narrow longitudinally extending body, and a rear axle housing extending laterally therefrom, oi a corn picker comprising a picking unit mounted on said tractor body adjacent the forward end in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined position, an elevator disposed alongside the upper portion of said picking unit for conveying ears from said picking unit, a husking unit having a receiving end disposed below the delivery end oi said elevator and extending upwardly and rearwardly over said axle housing, and endless conveyor means for moving the ears through said husking unit.

9. In a'machine of the class described, a pair of cooperative snapping rolls, and a conveyor for receiving ears of corn from said rolls and conveying the same to a point of delivery, said conveyor comprising an endless conveyor chain having ear engaging paddles, a sprocket near the forward end of said pair of rolls, a second sprocket disposed adjacent the point of delivery of said conveyor, said chain engaging said two sprockets for conveying material therebetween, and a third sprocket spaced laterally from said second sprocket and over which said chain is trained around to provide a substantially 90 degree turn at the said point of delivery.

i0. The combination set forth in claim 9, including the further provision of a trough in which said conveyor moves the ea'rs of corn, said trough being inclined downwardly and away from said second sprocket to cause the ears to slide away from the paddles as the latter swing around said second sprocket.

li. A corn harvesting implement comprising a tractor having a longitudinally disposed body and a pair of opposed laterally extending wheel supported rear axle housings, a snapping unit disposed near the front end of the tractor and extending longitudinally alongside thereof, means for swlngably supporting said snapping unit providing for movement about a transverse axis. mean for adjusting the position of said unit about said' axis to adjust the height of the forward end thereof, a husking unit disposed longitudinally behind said snapping unit and adapted to receive ears therefrom, means ior swingably supporting the rear end of said husking unit on said rear axle housing for movement about an axis spaced from said transverse axis, means for swingably supporting the front end of the husking unit on said snapping unit to accommodate the swinging movement of the latter during vertical adjustments. said husking unit having a corn discharge chute adjacent the rear end thereof behind the tractor axle, a receptacle disposed behind said axle under said discharge chute for receiving corn therefrom, and a fan rigidly mounted on said rear axle housing and having a discharge duct adapted to direct an air blast rearwardly between said husklng unit and said receptacle through the corn falling into the latter.

aumen l2. In an implement attachment for a tractor, the combination of a main supporting beam lournaled on said implement attachment, flexible lifting means attached to said beam and adapted for connection to said tractor, means for rotating said beam to wind said lifting means thereon to raise said implement from inoperative position resting on the ground to normal operating position on the tractor, and a tilting lever attached to said implement attachment to rock the same about the axis of said beam during operation.

13. In combination, a mobile frame member, an implement member adapted to be mounted thereon, a lacking device mounted on one of said members, means for attachingsaid jacking device to the other of said members when said implement is resting on the ground in inoperative position, and means locking said lacking device alter the latter has raised said implement to its normal position on said frame to hold said implement member in mounted position during operation.

14. An implement attachment for a tractor comprising in combination, a main supporting beam adapted to be transversely positioned beneath a tractor, a pair of implements supported on said beam in laterally spaced relation to receive said tractor therebetween, said implements being iournaled on the beam to permit rotation of the latter, exlble lifting means attached to said beam and adapted for connection to the tractor, and means for rotating said beam to wind said lifting means thereon.

l5. An implement attachment for a tractor comprising in combination, a main supporting beam adapted to be transversely positioned beneath a tractor between the front and rear wheels thereof, a pair of implements supported on said beam in laterally spaced relation to receive said tractor therebetween, said implements being journaled on the beam to permit rotation of the latter, flexible lifting means attached to said beam and adapted for connection to the tractor, means for rotating said beam to wind said lifting means thereon, and ramp means swlngably mounted on said beam between said implements and adapted to swing into inclined ground engaging position either in front or rear of said beam to assist the front wheels of the tractor to roll over the latter.

16. The combination set forth in claim l5, further characterized by means fixed on said beam and rotatable therewith into engagement with said ramp during lowering of the implement to swing said ramp to a position in front of said beam.

17. .An implement attachment for a tractor comprising a frame having means for supporting the same on a tractor and adapted to extend forwardly adjacent a front wheel of the tractor, and a guard roller iournaled on said frame and disposed to engage said front wheel when the latter is turned against said frame.

i3. An agricultural implement comprising a mobile frame, a primary implement unit pivotally mounted thereon by means providing for vertical movement relative thereto, a secondary impiement unit pivotally supported on one end on said primary unit and plvotally supported on the other end on said frame for swinging movement about an axis spaced from the pivot axis of said primary unit.`

i9. An agricultural implement comprising a mobile frame, a primary implement unit pivotally mounted thereon by means providing for vertical movement relative thereto, a secondary implement unit pivotally supported on one end on said primary unit and link means pivotally connected to the other end of said secondary unit and to said frame for supporting said other end of said secondary unit and to provide for bodily movement of the secondary unit relative to the frame.

20. The combination with a mobile frame, of a detachable implement, extensible means on said implement adapted to be connected to said frame when the implement is* detached therefrom and lying on the ground, including a self locking jack for retracting said extensible means to draw and lock said implement into normal operating position on said frame.

21. The combination with a mobile frame, of a detachable implement, a support rotatably mounted on said implement, a bracket on said frame provided with a recess for receiving said support, ilexible means connected to said support and to said bracket adjacent said recess, whereby when said support is rotated to wind said ilexible means thereon, said support will be raised and guided into said recess.

22. In a corn picker. a pair of longitudinally extending snapping rolls and a supporting frame to which said rolls are connected including a pair of tubular members disposed along the outer sides of said rolls, said members having forwardly converging top and bottom sides. and a transverse member behind said rolls interconnecting said tubular members.

23. In a corn picker, a gatherer frame comprising a tubular frame member disposed transversely of the direction of movement, a pair of substantially parallel tubular frame members rigidly attached to said transverse members and extending 'forwardly therefrom, the vertical dimension of said tubular members tapering toward the forward end thereof, and a pair of snapping rolls disposed between said parallel members and supported thereon.

24. The combination with a mobile frame, of a detachable implement frame, a rotatable winding member journaled on one of said frames, a ilexible lifting member interconnecting said Winding member with the other of said frames, means for rotating said winding member to raise said implement frame into operating position, and means for adjusting said implement frame angularly relative to said mobile frame during operation about the axis of rotation of said winding member.

25. The combination with a tractor having a wheel supported frame, of a harvesting implement having a frame adapted to be detachably mounted on said tractor in a longitudinally extending position adjacent the side of the tractor frame and including forwardly yextending crop gathering means, a transversely disposed winding member journaled on one of said frames; aexlble lifting member interconnecting said winding member with the other of said frames, means for rotating said winding member to raise said implement frame into operating position, and means for swinging said implement frame relative to said tractor frame about the axis o1' rotation of said Winding member to raise and lower said crop gathering means.

26. The combination with a mobile frame, of a detachable implement comprising primary and secondary frames pivotally connected together, a rotatable winding member journaled on said primary implement frame, a flexible lifting member interconnecting said winding member and said mobile frame, means for rotating said winding member to wind said ilexible member thereon to into operating position on said mobile frame, means for adjusting said primary implement frame angularly about the axis of said winding member to control the operating position thereof, and means for swingably supporting the opposite end of said secondary implement frame on said V`mobile frame.

27. 'Ihe combination with a mobile frame, of a detachable implement comprising primary and secondary frames pivotally connected together by means providing for relative vertical swinging movement, a rotatable winding member journaled on said primary implement frame, a flexible lifting member interconnecting said winding member and said mobile frame, means for rotating said winding member to wind said flexible member thereon to raise the pivotally connected ends of said frames from the ground into operating position on said mobile frame, means for adjusting said primary implement frame angularly about the axis of said winding member to control the operating position thereof, and means for swingably supporting the outer end of said secondary trame on said mobile frame providing for vertical swinging movement and longitudinal shifting movement relative thereto to permit lifting and lowering said pivotally connected ends of said frames with said outer end of the secondary frame supported on said mobile frame.

28. The combination with a tractor having a wheel supported frame, of a harvesting implement having a frame comprising articulated crcp gathering and crop treating frames swingable vertically relative to each other and extending longitudinally along a side of said tractor frame, a transversely disposed Winding member journaled on said gathering frame, a flexible lifting member interconnecting said winding member and said tractor frame, means for rotating said winding 40; member to wind said flexible member thereon to raise the connected ends of said implement frames from the ground into operating position on :he tractor, means for adjusting said gathering frame angularly about the axis of said winding member in said operating position to raise and lower the outer end thereof, and means for swngably supporting the outer end of said treating frame on said tractor providing for vertical swinging movement and longitudinal shifting movement relative thereto to permit lifting and lowering the articulated ends of said implement frames with said outer end of the treating frame supported on said tractor frame.

29. For use with a tractor including a body and a wheel supported rear axle housing, a corn picker of the tractor mounted type comprising an a1'- ticulated frame having a front section and a rear section pivoted together about a transverse axis. means for supporting said frame alongside said tractor body inside the plane of one of the tractor wheels with the axis of said pivot connection normally fixed with respect to said tractor body and disposed substantially midway oi the longitudinal dimension of the tractor. gathering and picking mechanism mounted on said front section, huskwardly from said pivot connection over the rear raise the pivotally connected ends of said frames 7o axle housing or the tractor, and means for swingably supportirig` said'lzear `lectiirrl. on said rear axle housing.

30. For use with a tractor including a body and a wheel supported rear axle housing. a corn picker of the tractor mounted'type comprising an articulated frame having a front section and a rear section pivoted together about a transverse axis. lifting means for raising the pivoted ends of said sections from an inoperative position on the ground to a normal operating position on the tractor alongside the tractor body inside the plane of one of the tractor wheels with the axis of said pivot connection in normally fixed position substantially midway of the longitudinal dimension of the tractor. gathering and picking mechanism mounted on said front section. cleaning mechanism mounted on said rear section, said rear section being inclined upwardly and rearwardly from said pivot connection over the rear axle housing of the tractor, and means for swingably supporting said rear section on said rear axle housing providing for downward and forward movement of said rear section to a position ahead of said axle housing when said pivoted ends are lowered to said grounded position, permitting the tractor to be backed away from the corn picker after the latter has been disconnected therefrom.

3i. For use with a tractor including a body and a wheel supported rear axle housing, a corn picker of the tractor mounted type comprising an articulated frame having a front section and a rear section pivoted together about a transverse axis. lifting means for raising the pivoted ends of said sections from an inoperative position on the ground to a normal operating position on the tractor alongside the tractor body inside the plane of one of the tractor wheels with the axis of said pivot connection in normally fixed position substantially midway of the longitudinal dimension of the tractor, gathering and picking mechanism mounted on said front section, cleaning mechanism mounted on said rear section, said rear section extending rearwardly from said pivot connection over the rear axle housing of the tractor, and means for swingably supporting said rear section on said rear axle housing providing for downward and forward movement of said rear section to a position ahead of said axle housing when said pivoted ends are lowered to said grounded position, permitting the tractor to be backed away from the corn picker after the latter has been disconnected therefrom.

32. The combination set forth in claim 3i, further characterized in that said lifting means comprises a winding member iournaled on said corn picker coaxial with said articulated connection and a exible member attachable to said tractor and adapted to wind on said member.

33. The combination set forth in claim 31, further including means under control of the tractor operator for adjusting said front section angular- 1y about the axis of said pivot connection after the latter has been raised to normal operating position.

34. The combination set forth in claim 31, including the further provision of means for fixing said front and rear sections together after the corn picker has been lowered to the ground, whereby said rear section is supported on said front section to sustain the rear section in upwardly and rearwardly inclined position after the tractor has been disconnected therefrom and backed away from said corn picker.

35. The combination set forth in claim 30. lncluding the further provision of a fan rigidly mounted on said rear axle housing and projecting above the upper side of the latter beneath the inclined rear section and having a discharge duct adapted to direct an air blast rearwardly through corn falling from said cleaning mechanism, said fan being positioned to avoid engagement with said rear section as the latter swings forwardly into said inoperative position.

36. An implement attachment for a tractor comprising in combination, a frame including a beam adapted to extend transversely beneath the tractor between the front and rear wheels of the latter, said beam being shiftable relative to the tractor between a raised operating position and an inoperative position on the ground, means shii'tably mounted on said beam adapted to engage certain of the tractor wheels to facilitate movement of the latter over said beam, said shiftable means being movable to one position for use when the tractor is being moved away from said implement attachment and movable to another position for use when the tractor is being moved toward said attachment, and control means operable from a remote position for shifting said shiftable means to one of said positions.

3'1. An implement attachment for a tractor comprising in combination, a frame including a beam adapted to extend transversely beneath the tractor between the front and rear wheels of the latter, said beam being shiftable relative to the tractor between a raised operating position and an inoperative position on the ground, ramp means shiftably mounted on said beam and engageable with certain of the tractor wheels to facilitate movement oi' the latter over said beam, said ramp means being movable from one side of said beam to the other to accommodate movements of the tractor over the beam in opposite directions, respectively, and control means operable from a remote position for shifting said ramp means to one side of said beam.

38. An implement attachment for a tractor comprising in combination, a frame including a beam adapted to extend transversely beneath the tractor between the front and rear wheels of the latter, said beam being shiftable relative to the tractor between a raised operating position and an inoperative position on the ground, ramp means shiftably mounted on said beam and engageable with certain of the tractor wheels to facilitate movement of the latter over said beam, said ramp means being movable from one side of said beam to the other to accommodate movements of the tractor over the beam in opposite directions, respectively, and control means, responsive to movement of said beam from raised position to grounded position for shifting said ramp means to a position facilitating movement of the tractor away from said implement attachment.

39. An implement attachment for a tractor comprising in combination, a frame including a beam adapted to extend transversely beneath the tractor between the front and rear wheels of the latter, said beam being shiftable relative to the tractor between a raised operating position and an inoperative position on the ground, ramp means swingably mounted on said beam between a forwardly inclined position in engagement with the ground and a rearwardly inclined position in engagement with the ground to facilitate movement of certain of the tractor wheels over said beam as the tractor is moved relative to the implement when the latter is in said inoperative position, and control means responsive to movement of sa1d beam when the latter is lowered to the ground, for shifting said ramp means L0 u posxt1on facilitating movement of the tractor away from said implement attachment,

NORMAN F. ANDREWS. RUSSELL L. DORT. 

